Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Monday was the first of undoubtedly many busy days for Caribou’s new City Manager Austin Bleess.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Caribou’s new City Manager Austin Bleess officially took his place at his new desk on Oct. 29.
The day was dominated by staff meetings, paperwork, a meeting on the Maine East-West Highway Project and an evening public forum on the proposed 2013 budget that lasted until just about 9 p.m.
Having a hectic first day, Bleess joked around 4:30 p.m. that it felt good to sit down.
But with a smile on his face as he spoke of his new responsibilities, he stated that everything about his first day has been good.
“There hasn’t been a part of the day that I haven’t enjoyed,” Bleess said. “The staff has been great, and I’m trying not to get bogged down with too much of the minutia at the moment.”
Bleess anticipates that there will be a bit of a learning curve as he gets up to speed with all of the projects taking place in the municipality, “but we’ll get there in short order, I’m sure,” he added.
“I’m excited to be here and excited to dive into everything,” he said, adding that he and his wife, Beth, are happy to be a part of the community.
Over the weekend, the couple had an opportunity to attend Caribou’s annual Arts and Crafts Fair and get to know the city a little better.
As time progresses, the city is getting to know the Bleess’ as well; after attending church on Sunday, Bleess said that a few parishioners inquired about his new job and introduced themselves — just one way Bleess is starting to get to know the people of Caribou.
“Caribou is a nice, nice place. Beth and I were pretty excited to be here interviewing [in September], at the Meet and Greet and just seeing the town,” Bleess said. “Everybody seems really friendly and it reminds us a lot of Minnesota, honestly.”
Where Bleess is from, community friendliness is known as “Minnesota nice.”
“I think here it might even be a little more so,” he suggested.
Prior to being hired by Caribou, Bleess was the city administrator for Winnebago, Minn.
During the city’s search for a new manager, Margaret “Peggy” Daigle served as the interim city manager and oversaw municipal endeavors since July 18.
Monday night’s public forum on the budget per the new charter was both Daigle’s last meeting and Bleess first; the two sat side-by-side at the city manager’s table as community members and the City Council discussed proposed expenditures and shared thoughts on how to reduce the overall sum — anticipated this year to crest $9,852,357 from last year’s $9,089,783.
Monday night marked the last public forum on the budget, but the council will meet again on the budget during a Thursday, Nov. 8 workshop starting at 6 p.m. While the workshop inherently features less public involvement than the forum, all are still welcome to attend.
As Election Day is quickly approaching, Caribou City Clerk Jayne Farrin reminded community members that absentee ballots are available until Thursday; she also informed the public that the 2011 annual report is now available to be picked up at the city office.
